U.S. Senator John Boozman Receives Distinguished Service Award for Efforts to Promote Volunteerism

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) was presented the Distinguished Service Award from Voices for National Service in appreciation of his exemplary efforts to expand high-quality opportunities for citizens to serve their community and our country.

(Pictured: U.S. Senator John Boozman is joined by Denise Grace, director of RSVP of Central Arkansas, who nominated him for the Distinguished Service Award that was presented at the 16th Annual Friends of National Service Awards in Washington, DC.)

Boozman was honored along with a bipartisan group of distinguished leaders in government, business and journalism from across the nation at the 16th Annual Friends of National Service Awards in Washington, DC. The event was hosted by Voices for National Service, a diverse coalition of national service programs, state service commissions and individual champions who work to ensure Americans of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community.

AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service, called Boozman “a vocal champion for the benefits of national service.”

“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he is passionate about working with his colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to ensure Americans of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve the nation and their communities. In recognition of his leadership and dedication to AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, Voices for National Service presents Senator Boozman with our Distinguished Service Award,” Connolly said.

Boozman was nominated for the award by Denise Grace, director of RSVP of Central Arkansas, who was on-hand for the presentation. Throughout his tenure in Congress, Boozman has strongly supported efforts to highlight and increase volunteerism. He is a member of the bipartisan National Service Congressional Caucus, annually cosponsors the AmeriCorps week resolution and works to promote National Days of Service.

“I’ve personally found giving my time in service of others to be a deeply rewarding experience which is why I have continuously sought to promote and support volunteer organizations like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. The positive impact Arkansans have on their communities when they are provided an opportunity to make a difference is powerful. Volunteering brings out the best in participants as they put their talents to use on behalf of others and we are all better off as a result of their willingness to serve their neighbors in need,” Boozman said.

Boozman’s Senate colleagues Roger Wicker (R-MS), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jack Reed (D-RI) were also honored at the event. U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT), New Hampshire Governor and First Lady Chris and Valerie Sununu and Mark Donovan, President of the Kansas City Chiefs received awards as well.

Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and helped to elevate national service as a powerful strategy for tackling unmet needs, preparing young people for work, uniting our country and developing civic character.

In communities across the country, national service members of all ages and backgrounds provide critical services to fulfill unmet needs through their work with AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. National service members tutor and mentor struggling students, help fight the opioid epidemic, provide job training and other services to returning veterans, preserve the nation’s parks and public lands, offer disaster relief and recovery assistance after natural disasters and support independent living for seniors and Americans with disabilities.